Prerequisites, causes for the creation of the North Atlantic Alliance and its contradictions

This article examines the historical path that led in the early days of the Cold War to the creation of the North Atlantic Alliance - NATO in the context of interaction between the United States and Europe, with an emphasis on Anglo-American special relations. The author reveals the historical features of the conclusion of the North Atlantic Treaty after World War II in 1949. It is emphasized that in modern scientific discourse there are two points of view on the prerequisites and reasons for the creation of NATO. On the one hand, many historians argue that the North Atlantic Treaty is the result of the historical and cultural consolidation of an alliance of liberal democracies based on the common roots of Western civilization. On the other hand, in practice it is clearly seen that the North Atlantic Pact is a product of the Cold War era, with the leading role of the United States, and was based on tactical and strategic coincidences in the balance of power between the member states. Despite the fact that at present Europe and North America remain a single geopolitical space with the closest interests, there are contradictions between NATO members that have been relevant since the creation of the alliance.